Balenciaga Eyewear License Heads to Marcolin

Longarone, Italy—The shuffle of licenses among Italy’s top eyewear companies continues. On Wednesday, Marcolin S.p.A., reported that it reached an agreement with Balenciaga to design, produce and distribute sunglasses and prescription eyewear.

That news came after Safilo, Italy’s No. 2 eyewear company, said it would not renew its license with Balenciaga that’s due to expire at the end of this year.

The agreement with Marcolin, which is scheduled to be finalized March 31, would be for five years starting with the first collection in 2013.

“We are especially proud and excited to announce this agreement and to be able to work with Maison Balenciaga and its creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière – one of the top fashion names in the PPR Group,” said Maurizio Marcolin, the eyewear group’s style and licensing officer. “Balenciaga is a perfect fit for our brand portfolio and broadens the luxury market that we target.”

“This agreement with Marcolin SpA echoes our conviction with Nicolas Ghesquière that eyewear is definitely an essential fashion accessory which must be translated and marketed as such respecting brand vocabulary and iconic codes,” added Isabelle Guichot, president/ceo at Balenciaga.

About Marcolin

Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, Marcolin is a leading eyewear company known for its premium quality, attention to detail and first-rate distribution. In 2010 the company distributed an estimated 5.5 million pairs of eyeglasses and sunglasses in more than 800 models. Its licensed brand portfolio includes: Cover Girl Eyewear, Diesel Shades, DSquared2 Eyewear, Hogan Eyewear, John Galliano Eyewear, Just Cavalli Eyewear, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Miss Sixty Glasses, Montblanc Eyewear, Replay Eyes, Roberto Cavalli Eyewear, Swarovski, Timberland, Tod’s Eyewear, Tom Ford Eyewear. The group’s own brands include Marcolin and Web Eyewear.